Some local youths are responsible for bringing back an organization’s Central Oregon chapter that was nearly lost to the history books.

Pilgrim Chapter DeMolay, an organization for boys that’s sponsored by the Redmond Masonic Lodge No. 154, once had more than 500 members in the area, making the Central Oregon chapter among the largest in the world, said Heather Bryan, an adviser to the chapter. But the chapter, which started in the 1920s, stopped meeting and was in danger of being deactivated because it had done little in the past seven years, and its last member was about to turn 21.

But, instead of letting the chapter go the way of the dinosaur, Redmond Masonic Lodge members worked to find teens to join the group. Six members joined, and the group became active again in January, with a seventh boy joining last month.

“There didn’t seem to be any problem getting kids over the years — it was getting adult advisers,” said Dale Claypool, another adviser.

DeMolay focuses on preparing young men for adulthood through regular meetings, as well as doing fun activities, Claypool said. They work closely with other Masonic organizations, such as Job’s Daughters, a similar group for young women, and the Blue Lodge and the Order of the Eastern Star.

Former national DeMolay members include John Wayne, Walt Disney and Bill Clinton. Claypool said it is the largest privately-funded youth organization in the world, with 2.5 million members.

Logan Bryan, the son of advisers Heather and Travis Bryan, was chosen as the chapter’s new master councilor, or president. He helped lead the restart with help from his parents and Claypool. Logan’s responsibilities include planning events, fundraising and working with other chapters.

The Redmond group’s accomplishments are getting noticed. One of 11 chapters in the state, it was named Oregon State DeMolay chapter of the year in May for all it accomplished in a short amount of time, Heather Bryan said.

Two chapter members, Logan’s brother Caleb Bryan, 12, and Isaiah Fields, 14, recently were among 68 students to attend a DeMolay Leadership Conference near Mount Rainier in Washington.

“We basically learned leadership skills and how to communicate with each other,” Caleb said. “It was a lot of fun.”

Along with the meetings on the first and third Thursdays of each month, the boys have fun events like making ice cream sundaes.

“We made the coolest sundaes,” Logan said. “I was very proud of mine.”

The group also participated in the 4th of July Parade and took a trip to the waterpark in McMinnville. Future plans include dances and attending a Portland Trail Blazers game.

The Pilgrim Chapter is seeking to expand its membership. It originally started in Bend, but that city now has no DeMolay chapter, leaving the Redmond group a large area to draw members from.

A major fundraiser is planned for Sept. 23, when the Pilgrim Chapter plays host to a pasta dinner and engine show at the lodge. The meal includes pasta, salad, bread, drink and dessert and costs $10 per person or $30 for a family of four or more.

Attendees can also check out the classic engine collection of the group’s newest member, Ty Payfer-Lockling.

— Reporter: 541-548-2186, gfolsom@redmondspokesman.com